AN EXAMINATION OF SATIRE IN WOLE SOYINKA’S DEATH AND THE KING’S HORSEMAN

SUMMARY

This research has examined the use of satire in Wole Soyinka's Death and the King’s Horseman and The Beatification of Area Boy. The first chapter engages in the purpose of study, scope of study, and the theoretical background used for this essay. It talks about the research methodology used, paying attention to the review of related literature and ending with a thesis statement to direct the essay. The second chapter examined political satire in both plays. It explored the sociopolitical implication of British intrusion of Nigeria and the gradual decay in moral values and the selfishness that set in in place of the usually sacrificial monarchial system of leadership in Nigeria. The satire of this political structure is used to represent the broader political scenario of Nigeria and the corruption that is partly a product of contact with Western ideas of self-preservation as against the common good. It also explored the satire against the military regime of Nigeria as exemplified in The Beatification of Area Boy. The third chapter satirizes culture and society in both plays. It reveals the clash of cultures that led to the inability to follow through with the ritual rites in the Yoruba community. It symbolizes the death of the Yoruba and African culture which was suicidal, as it was a product of embracing foreign ideas. The Beautification of area boy also satirizes the society using Lagos as a case study. It laments the poor socio-economic 44 state if the nation that leads to all sort of criminal activities. It adds that underdevelopment and gross illiteracy are all products of a very irresponsible government. The fourth chapter examines the Literary devices and language used in both plays. This chapter concludes the essay. From this research, it is glaring that the African (Yorùbá in particular) worldview is however defined within its communal existence where what confronts the individual is what confronts the society and what affects an individual affects the entire community. It also reveals that Africa must return to it’s roots and assert it’s true identity in the sociopolitical strata of the nation. There should be a return to systems of leadership and government that is unique to Africa and steeped in morals and selflessness only when this is done that the nation can come out of the shackles of poverty and underdevelopment.